[kosmokratur]

Hi - I'm sure this has been answered before, but I couldn't find it. My recently acquired 2018 M550 has the "BMW Adaptive LED" headlamps. Yet, I have never seen the "A in the circle" indicator, no matter what I do with the button on the end of the stalk. Do these need to be coded to be on, or is it possible that the previous owner coded them off (why would they?)? Thanks for any advice.

[CnSky]

A in a circle auto stop start

A with lines is adaptive lights

To enable adaptive lights you hit the top of the left steering wheel stalk

Light with A and lines comes on in dash.

You sure you have adaptive lights check the lense covers

See images below just popped out and took them.

[kosmokratur]

Thanks for your reply.

Yes, I am sure they are the Adaptive LED; mine look just like yours, and they were itemized on the window sticker.

I get NOTHING when I hit the button at the end of the stalk.

[CnSky]

Strange I don't see a coding option in standard BimmerCode so perhaps it's in export mode or a fuse is blown somewhere.

Any faults in the car? I ask as the adaptive lighting requires the camera working I believe are you getting any camera or sensor faults in Idrive?

[kosmokratur]

Nope, this is the only thing wrong with it (as far as I know!!! ).

[CnSky]

Must be coding then as I can't think of anything else unless it's a fuse but I would think the entire unit would stop working if a fuse was gone.

Only other possibility is the stalk button is not working.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by kosmokratur

Hi - I'm sure this has been answered before, but I couldn't find it. My recently acquired 2018 M550 has the "BMW Adaptive LED" headlamps. Yet, I have never seen the "A in the circle" indicator, no matter what I do with the button on the end of the stalk. Do these need to be coded to be on, or is it possible that the previous owner coded them off (why would they?)? Thanks for any advice.

Any chance you are hitting the wrong button on the stalk?

[CnSky]

I was thinking the same Steve but the content would be constantly changing from speed to odometer etc. Couldn't be that simple could it?

[CnSky]

Two other things I seem to remember but can't check right now so can't be 100% sure

-they don't come on unless the light switch is in auto position.

- the green light on dash will only activate when the main beams are on in auto position after dark. The stalk can be pressed when you enter the car first time in daylight to check they are working (green icon comes on)but as you move off it turns off as its bright and lights are in auto position.

Steve you can confirm? I could be dreaming but think the above is correct.

[kosmokratur]

Operative quote: "The green light on dash will only activate when the main beams are on in auto position after dark."
I've been checking this out in daylight (I haven't used the car much since I bought it but now I'm planning my first real trip with it). I just went outside, in the dark, and tried it... the indicator lit right up.

I'm feeling a bit dimwitted but I appreciate all the helpful comments/suggestions!!

[CnSky]

Happy we solved it!!

That's what these forums are for.

[Joe-BMW33]

Isn't the button on the end of the stalk for Automatic High Beams? I think the question here is about adaptive headlights which to the best of my knowledge, is always active and there is no indicator? If you turn your steering wheel and the headlights turn with it, then it functioning.

[LogicalApex]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Isn't the button on the end of the stalk for Automatic High Beams? I think the question here is about adaptive headlights which to the best of my knowledge, is always active and there is no indicator? If you turn your steering wheel and the headlights turn with it, then it functioning.

BMW has made this all a lot more confusing than it needs to be I think. But that's par for the course I guess. My response is geared toward the US models so there may be some inaccuracies when applied to other markets...

For the US models (pre-LCI anyway) the steering adaptive portion of the headlights is on both the base "LED" headlights as well as the upgraded "Adaptive Full LED" headlights. The "adaptive" part of the Full LED headlights is decoded in the US due to our outdated headlight laws.

All adaptive features, including steering; corner; and high beam assist, are only available when the lights are in the "A" position. I like to read that setting as "Adaptive" instead of "Auto" as it makes it clearer that you're getting more than just automatic headlight activation at night. If you have the Adaptive Full LED headlights as the OP does then when in this position you can also hit the stalk button to turn on "Adaptive" high beams -- which for the US just means auto activation and deactivation of high beams none of the anti-dazzle wizardry.

Of course, there are other hardware differences between the two headlight options that are not reflected in the features I mentioned above. The Adaptive Full LED headlight includes twice as many lights as the base headlight. Which helps the light system improve visibility in all lower light conditions compared to the base headlight.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by LogicalApex

BMW has made this all a lot more confusing than it needs to be I think. But that's par for the course I guess. My response is geared toward the US models so there may be some inaccuracies when applied to other markets...

For the US models (pre-LCI anyway) the steering adaptive portion of the headlights is on both the base "LED" headlights as well as the upgraded "Adaptive Full LED" headlights. The "adaptive" part of the Full LED headlights is decoded in the US due to our outdated headlight laws.

All adaptive features, including steering; corner; and high beam assist, are only available when the lights are in the "A" position. I like to read that setting as "Adaptive" instead of "Auto" as it makes it clearer that you're getting more than just automatic headlight activation at night. If you have the Adaptive Full LED headlights as the OP does then when in this position you can also hit the stalk button to turn on "Adaptive" high beams -- which for the US just means auto activation and deactivation of high beams none of the anti-dazzle wizardry.

Of course, there are other hardware differences between the two headlight options that are not reflected in the features I mentioned above. The Adaptive Full LED headlight includes twice as many lights as the base headlight. Which helps the light system improve visibility in all lower light conditions compared to the base headlight.

Ah thank you for the explanation. Makes sense now.

[Kodiak42]

Originally Posted by kosmokratur

Hi - I'm sure this has been answered before, but I couldn't find it. My recently acquired 2018 M550 has the "BMW Adaptive LED" headlamps. Yet, I have never seen the "A in the circle" indicator, no matter what I do with the button on the end of the stalk. Do these need to be coded to be on, or is it possible that the previous owner coded them off (why would they?)? Thanks for any advice.

I had the same problem on my 540i. It turned out to be a faulty stalk. The dealer replaced it under warranty. Once that was done, I had Almaretto code Variable Light Distribution for me.